Nova Launches Boot Camp to Help Vets Take the Plunge In to Business Ownership

12-Day Intensive Program to be held at Nova Southeastern University July 11-23

***  EDITOR’S NOTE: This program has been pushed back to a January 2012 start date. Please check back for more information or contact David Harris at 800.672.7223 ext. 25079 or dh1035@huizenga.nova.edu. ***

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Nova Southeastern University’s (Nova) International Institute for Franchise Education (IIFE) announced today the launch of a new educational program that will run July 11-23 at its main campus in Davie.  The Veteran’s Business Edge is designed for veterans as they transition from the military to the civilian business environment.

The 12-day business boot camp provides military veterans with information about opportunities that exist and “how-to” training in entrepreneurship, franchising and sales.  It will help them leverage and apply senior leadership and decision-making skills gained during military service into the civilian business world.

The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that former military officers are 55.6% more likely, and vets in general 45% more likely, to become entrepreneurs than their civilian counterparts with no active-duty military service.  This vet-friendly program is designed to help veterans and active duty service personnel achieve the American dream of business ownership.

“Making the transition from military life into the civilian business world can be a challenging and sometimes daunting endeavor,” said Cheryl R. Babcock, CFE, Director of Executive Education and founding director of IIFE at Nova’s H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship.

Two days of the business boot camp focus on franchising as a form of business ownership. “It’s great to see this tradition that my father started after the first Gulf War grow with The Veteran’s Business Edge program now being offered by Nova Southeastern University’s Huizenga Business School,” said Dina Dywer-Owens, Chairwoman and CEO of the Dwyer Group. VetFran is a program of the International Franchise Association and includes over 400 franchisors that offer franchising financial incentives to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Veteran’s Business Edge business boot camp is led by a team of highly regarded instructors from both academia and the business world, all with expertise and real-world experience.  Many are former military leaders who have made the successful transition from the military to the business world.  A few of the topics that the instructors will speak about include Entrepreneurship 101, How to Be Successful in Sales, Negotiating Successfully, and Finance for Non-financial Managers.

“Our new program is unique in that many of our faculty members have been in the students’ shoes before and know firsthand just how intimidating it can be starting out in the highly competitive business world,” continued Babcock. “This is the first year we are offering The Veteran’s Business Edge, and we are looking forward to preparing veterans with the tools they need to pursue their goals.”

Lonnie Helgerson, CFE, U.S. Army (retired), President, Veterans Franchise Center and program instructor adds, “I am thrilled to be able to assist veterans in discovering their business capabilities. As a veteran myself, I know firsthand the challenges of moving upward within a corporate environment. This program is designed to teach veterans how to leverage their business skills and springboard to the top of the corporate ladder through successful business ownership.”

Veterans can use their military education benefits towards the costs of the program’s fees of $5,625, which includes books and program materials. For more information, a complete agenda or to register for the program, visit www.huizenga.nova.edu/Vets-Edge or contact David Harris at 800.672.7223 ext. 25079 or dh1035@huizenga.nova.edu.

About IIFE

Nova’s International Institute for Franchise Education (IIFE) is a demonstrated leader around the globe for its cutting-edge domestic and international education and leadership training programs for franchise executives. Programs are designed for start-up and emerging franchisors as well as founders, presidents, CEOs, COOs and key leadership team members who want to grow their franchise systems. IIFE is also the headquarters for the International Society of Franchising, comprised of educators and researchers from around the globe. For more information, visit http://www.huizenga.nova.edu/franchise.

About Nova Southeastern University: Located in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited Florida University dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 29,000 students and is the seventh largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The University awards associate’s, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, specialist, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences.  Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU was also awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification in 2010 for the University’s significant commitment to and demonstration of community engagement.   For more information about NSU visit www.nova.edu.

# # #